"Scandalous decision by the police": Angry Ukraine ambassador turns to Berlin's mayor
Created: 05/08/2022, 04:49 am
By: Cindy Boden
Andrij Melnyk, Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, in his office in the embassy building (archive image) © Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The Berlin police have issued conditions to mark the 77th anniversary of the end of the war, which Ukraine Ambassador Melnyk sharply rejects.
Important detail: It's not about the whole capital.
Berlin - The 77th anniversary of the end of the Second World War falls at a turbulent time: the Ukraine war claims numerous lives, images of destruction and suffering continue.
The mood is heated: This is shown by loud counter-demonstrators, for example at appearances by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, heated discussions and the spread of fake news in social networks, and hostilities on Germany's streets.
On May 8th and 9th, many people are expected to commemorate historical places - also in Berlin.
The city is getting ready.
The police issued a general decree for this.
“The act of remembrance and respect for these memorials and memorials must also be preserved against the background of Russia's current war of aggression in Ukraine.
The war must not be allowed to break out beyond the democratic discourse in conflicts or arguments in Berlin,” said a press release from the Berlin police on Friday (May 6).
Melnyk wants to see the "scandalous decision" in Berlin revoked on the day of remembrance
"We protect the dignified commemoration of 15 memorials and memorials through comprehensive regulations that are intended to prevent any conflict at these locations.
At the same time, we take action against any form of support, approval, glorification or even glorification of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, especially in assemblies," said police chief Barbara Slowik in this regard.
But the precautions met with a lot of criticism.
One of the critics: the Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk.
On Friday evening, he even addressed Berlin's governing mayor Franziska Giffey directly on Twitter: "This scandalous decision by the Berlin police must be REVOCATED," he wrote.
The diplomat has repeatedly attracted attention with harsh demands and statements of opinion to German politicians.
"We are shocked that the Berlin police banned the carrying of Ukrainian-related flags on May 8 and 9," Melnyk also told the
editorial network Germany
.
"This is a slap in the face to Ukraine and a slap in the face to the Ukrainian people."
Ukraine-News: Berlin police clarifies regulation on World War II commemoration
However, the Berlin police quickly felt obliged to clarify: Without making direct reference to Melnyk, but with the note "Because the topic is being discussed on the Internet", it said on Saturday morning on the Twitter account: "The carrying of Ukrainian flags in public Room is generally allowed on May 8th and 9th.
The regulations published in the Official Journal only apply to the memorials and memorial sites listed therein.”
In the Official Journal of May 6, the 15 affected areas are named in detail and illustrated with maps.
Some regulations from the press release that the police will ensure compliance with:
"The regulations at memorials and memorials include, among other things, that it is forbidden to show symbols on the premises or in the immediate vicinity, such as
B. Russian or Ukrainian flags, George ribbons and uniforms or uniform parts in modified forms.
But it is also forbidden to play marching or military songs and to make exclamations that, due to the current situation, are suitable for approving, glorifying or glorifying the war in Ukraine.”
War in Ukraine creates “sensitive risk situation” on May 8th and 9th
There are also exceptions: These concern veterans of the Second World War, diplomats, representatives and delegations of states to commemorate on behalf of the states directly involved in the liberation of Germany.
The Berlin police want to accompany the planned demonstrations and memorial events with a large contingent.
According to a spokesman, around 3,400 police officers should be on the road in the city area this Sunday and Monday.
In view of the escalating Ukraine conflict, a "very sensitive risk situation" is expected.
On May 9th, however, the focus will also be on Moscow in particular.
(cibo/dpa)